AGP Executive Report

Heat & Safety: South Carolina is under heat advisory warnings with heat index values pushing 105–112 degrees in the Charleston area through Sunday, and officials urge staying indoors, hydrating, and limiting strenuous activity. Grid Stress: A federal power emergency was declared for the Southeast as extreme heat strains electricity supply, with Duke Energy allowed to run plants harder to reduce blackout risk. Water & Health: Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, are urging the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant, while experts say there’s no proof it harms water systems. Environmental Justice: A South Carolina federal judge ruled the Trump administration’s cancellation of environmental justice grants was “illegal,” though the court stopped short of ordering the program to restart immediately. Local Cleanup: Charleston volunteers can join a downtown litter cleanup Saturday with Keep Charleston Beautiful and the South Carolina Aquarium, aiming to protect waterways and wildlife. Invasive Species Watch: Wildlife agencies report an uptick in invasive tegu lizards in the region, raising concerns for native birds and ecosystems. National Parks Signage: A federal judge ordered the National Park Service to restore removed signs tied to climate change, slavery, and Indigenous/LGBTQ+ history, including a climate sign at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Maternal Health Funding: Prisma Health received a $1.6 million Duke Endowment grant for a maternal-infant screening and referral program across the Carolinas.

Heat & Grid Strain: A major heat risk is building across the Southeast, with triple-digit temperatures pushing power demand and prompting a southeastern power emergency order to help prevent blackouts in the Carolinas. Local Drought Update: South Carolina’s drought panel downgraded 11 counties to moderate, while most of the state remains in severe drought as officials warn it will take sustained rainfall to truly break the dry spell. Environmental Justice in Court: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration’s termination of environmental justice grants was illegal, dealing a setback to efforts to dismantle a Biden-era program that funded projects in underserved communities. National Parks Signage Fight: Another federal judge ordered the administration to restore removed park exhibits and signs tied to climate change, slavery, and other history topics, calling the removals unauthorized censorship. Water & Health Policy: Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, urged the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite experts saying there’s no clear harm to water systems. Community Cleanup: Charleston volunteers are invited to help remove litter downtown this Saturday as part of a broader push to protect local waterways and ecosystems.

Heat & Power Strain: South Carolina is bracing for triple-digit heat with NWS heat advisories warning of major heat risk and heat-related illness dangers, while the Trump administration declared a power emergency for the Southeast as Duke Energy seeks to run plants at maximum output to meet soaring demand. Drought Watch: Despite some improvement inland, the U.S. Drought Monitor says much of SC remains in moderate to severe drought, with the coast still in exceptional drought and some water systems asking for voluntary conservation. Coastal Cleanup & Reuse: Georgetown residents got an update on cleanup plans for the former Liberty Mill site, a 66-acre brownfield where DES says thorough soil and water testing will guide next steps before redevelopment. Wildlife Invasives: Wildlife officials are racing to slow the spread of invasive Argentine black-and-white tegus, now showing reports beyond Florida including in South Carolina. Community Resilience: SC agencies held a hurricane-season evacuation drill, including planned highway lane reversals for I-26, U.S. 21 and U.S. 287. Environmental Courts: A federal judge in South Carolina rebuked the EPA for terminating a Biden-era climate grant program, finding the move violated federal procedural law.

Heat Alert: An early-summer heat wave is pushing South Carolina into the 90s with heat index values topping 100°, prompting Heat Advisory warnings and raising heat-illness risk for people outdoors. Invasive Species Watch: Wildlife officials are racing to stop the spread of 4-foot Argentine black-and-white tegu lizards, invasive nest raiders that have turned up in multiple Southern states including South Carolina. Local Cleanup Oversight: Georgetown residents got an update on cleanup plans for the former Liberty Mill/steel mill waterfront site, where soil and water testing will guide what remediation is needed before redevelopment. Stormwater & City Spending: Myrtle Beach approved its FY2027 budget, including stormwater upgrades and other infrastructure spending, while adjusting some household service rates. Food & Health Policy: A federal judge said the Trump administration unlawfully ended an Inflation Reduction Act environmental and climate justice grant program, a blow to funding tied to pollution and community health. Science Spotlight: Researchers decoded how the Venus flytrap snaps shut—via rapid softening in the trap’s outer tissue—adding to growing climate-stress biology research.

PFAS & PFAS-era waste policy: A Waste Leadership Summit session flagged shifting federal rules that could reshape recycling and waste operations, from EPA greenhouse-gas actions to evolving PFAS regulation and enforcement. Drought & water stress: A new U.S. Drought Monitor update shows widespread South Carolina drought, with extreme drought covering most of Georgetown County and large parts of the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. Hurricane recovery funding: Central Carolina Community Foundation is reopening the One SC Fund: Hurricane Helene for long-term recovery, while FEMA approved additional federal money for South Carolina recovery and mitigation projects. Food additives scrutiny: A new report says nearly 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods still contain synthetic dyes, even as a federal voluntary phase-out faces major industry hurdles. Wildlife & community science: Savannah River Ecology Lab brought native animals to Aiken kids, using hands-on encounters to build stewardship. Local environment-adjacent: Greenville County Schools rolled out a rule to reduce student screen time and guide responsible AI/tech use.

Food Safety & Health: FDA updated a recall of Haagen-Dazs “mini chocolate dark chocolate ice cream bars” tied to undeclared wheat, with distribution listed across multiple states including South Carolina. Heat & Public Health: The National Weather Service warned Columbia and much of South Carolina face “major heat risk” this weekend, with highs near 100°F and guidance to protect vulnerable people. PFAS & Policy: A new look at PFAS shows federal enforcement and lawsuits still evolving, while states keep filling gaps with drinking-water limits and product rules. Water & Accountability: Fourteen state attorneys general, including South Carolina AG Alan Wilson, urged EPA to track abortion-related water pollution. Local Environment Tech: South Carolina’s interagency drone consortium announced a July symposium in Columbia focused on drones for public-sector work, including environmental and emergency uses. Coastal/Marine Economy: Nancy Mace backed a “shrimp honesty” push that would require NOAA to develop a portable chemical test to verify shrimp origin. Climate/Industry Debate: OpenAI research claims China likely ran online influence operations aimed at shaping U.S. debate over AI and data centers.

Shrimp trade transparency: South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace is pushing a federal “SHRIMP Act” that would require NOAA to develop a portable chemical test to verify shrimp country of origin—aimed at cracking down on undercutting imports and improving traceability. Heat risk for SC: The National Weather Service warns much of South Carolina faces “major heat risk” this weekend, with highs near 100°F in many areas and guidance focused on hydration and cooling, especially for kids and older adults. Mosquito control in Horry County: Aerial mosquito spraying has started as the county targets hard-to-reach wetlands and marsh areas where ground crews can’t easily reach. Lake Greenwood fish kill still a mystery: State officials say routine monitoring doesn’t show a concern for eating fish, but the April fish kill cause remains undetermined after testing found mostly low contaminant levels. Waste and recycling fleet update: Meridian Waste is adding 13 new McNeilus refuse and recycling vehicles for Richland County operations, part of a broader push to keep collection running smoothly. Food additive concerns: A federal phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 is facing uneven industry follow-through, with nearly 20% of packaged foods still containing dyes—higher in children’s products.

Coastal Safety: South Carolina’s deadliest beach hazard is often invisible—rip currents. The National Weather Service says they’re most dangerous when waves look calm, near low tide, and around jetties and piers; officials urge lifeguarded beaches, heed flags, check the beach forecast, and if caught, don’t fight the current—swim parallel and signal for help. Hurricane Readiness: Joint Base Charleston is urging Lowcountry residents and service members to prepare now with a 72-hour kit, review evacuation plans, and enroll in mass notification alerts as flooding can hit before storms make landfall. Wildlife Health: DPH confirmed a rabid bobcat near Fort Lawn; two people and one dog were exposed and were advised to seek care, with officials reminding residents to keep distance from wild animals and keep pets vaccinated. Renewables Policy: A federal court vacated IRS Notice 2025-42, restoring a “five percent safe harbor” for the start of construction on certain wind and solar projects—an important deadline issue for developers. Local Waste & Recycling: Meridian Waste is launching a new Richland County contract with 13 new McNeilus refuse and recycling vehicles, including automated side loaders, supported by a new Midlands service facility. Invasive Threat: Experts warn a new invasive hornet—yellow-legged—could pose a bigger risk to SC beekeeping than other hornets, with concerns about spread and large nests.

Hurricane Preparedness: Joint Base Charleston emergency managers are urging Lowcountry residents to prepare now for hurricane season, stressing 72-hour kits (including pets), family evacuation plans, and enrollment in the AtHoc mass notification system—especially as flooding can hit before storms make landfall. Election Day Weather: South Carolina’s primary is underway with damp conditions and storm chances across the Upstate, including possible thunderstorms during peak voting hours—so voters are being told to grab umbrellas. Drought Update: Despite wetter-than-normal May, drought still covers nearly all of South Carolina, with 4.6 million people affected, and officials warn recovery will take sustained above-normal rainfall. Pipeline Fight: Savannah Riverkeeper is stepping in as a Kinder Morgan-linked pipeline company files dozens of court petitions to enter private land for survey work in Hampton and Colleton counties, arguing opponents lack the right to refuse access. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: Experts warn proposed U.S. deep-sea mining regulations are outdated and could weaken environmental review and public input as leasing moves forward. Wildlife/Climate Research: Frozen squirrel scat from Arctic burrows is preserving ancient DNA from hundreds of species, offering a rare look at long-ago ecosystems.

Extreme Heat Grid Prep: U.S. grid planners are treating extreme heat as a “design baseline” as hotter summers arrive earlier, with reliability groups flagging the overlap of early heat and spring maintenance outages. Hurricane Readiness: South Carolina is running a full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise June 10, testing reversal operations on U.S. 278 and U.S. 21 and urging drivers to watch for traffic control and personnel. Water Planning for Drought: South Carolina’s completed 2025 State Water Plan, built through WaterSC input, aims to protect water availability for the next 50 years as growth and drought strain supplies. Wildlife & Disease Watch: Scientists report a hidden disease crisis in wild snakes, linking snake fungal disease risk to coinfections, raising concerns for native populations. Rabies Alerts: Orangeburg County confirmed a rabid raccoon after a dog exposure, with officials urging people to avoid contact with wild animals and call local professionals. Local Environment Politics: Spartanburg County Council District 6 candidates are clashing over data center decisions tied to community concerns about impacts. Community Safety: Officials also confirmed rabid animals in SC counties, reinforcing the need for pet precautions and public awareness.

Hurricane readiness: South Carolina officials kicked off the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season with a statewide tabletop exercise, urging residents and businesses to review evacuation plans, secure homes, and protect drinking water and wastewater systems, while EPA guidance also highlights preventing and reporting chemical releases during storms. Wildlife health: A rabid raccoon was confirmed in Orangeburg County after it exposed a dog; health officials say no people reported exposure, but they urge anyone who may have had contact to call DPH. Coastal risk and culture: Reporting on the ACE Basin and Gullah-Geechee communities points to saltwater intrusion, flooded streets, and growing pushback against nearby data centers and gas plants—showing how environmental change and development pressures collide. Data centers and water stress: A new analysis finds most planned U.S. data centers are slated for drought-affected areas, raising concerns about water demand as drought worsens. Wildfire outlook: South Carolina’s wildfire activity is expected to stay near normal through at least September, helped by late-spring rainfall but with dry pockets still lingering. Solar industry move: SUNation Energy and Suniva signed a definitive merger agreement to expand U.S. solar manufacturing under the Suniva name.

Hurricane Preparedness: Lowcountry officials are urging residents to get ready now that hurricane season is underway, stressing that one storm can still bring catastrophic inland flooding and warning people to rely on trusted local updates. Wildfire Outlook: South Carolina’s wildfire activity is expected to stay near normal through at least September, helped by unusually wet spring weather, though some dry pockets remain. Flood Risk From Wetland Loss: A new study links upstream wetland destruction since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for coastal South Carolina homeowners, with Charleston-area losses highlighted. Nonprofit Transparency: New SC amendments to the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act aim to make filings easier for nonprofits while boosting donor transparency during fundraising. Energy & Land: A pipeline company has filed court petitions seeking survey access from South Carolina landowners for a proposed natural gas pipeline tied to a new power plant, as local opposition grows. Weather Watch: Rain chances return Monday in the Upstate, with a stretch of cloudy, stormy days and possible flash flooding. Wildlife & Coasts: SCDNR removed coyotes from Kiawah Island after sea turtle attacks, and a manatee was spotted in the Waccamaw River near Conway.

Flood Costs & Wetlands: A new study says upstream wetland destruction since the 1980s has driven up flood insurance payments for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with major impacts flagged around Charleston County and Myrtle Beach. Hurricane Readiness: Dorchester County hosted a big hurricane expo to help residents prepare, with a focus on inland flooding risks and hands-on emergency response training. Waterway Wildlife: A manatee was spotted in the Waccamaw River near the Conway marina, and SCDNR says sightings are rising as more manatees move through connected waterways. Coastal Ecology & Development: A pipeline company filed court petitions seeking survey access for a proposed natural gas pipeline tied to a new Colleton County power plant, drawing opposition over property impacts and the ACE Basin watershed. Heat & Air Quality: South Carolina is heading into hotter weather with humidity building and air quality alerts in the region, while scattered storms remain possible. Public Safety: Rabies was confirmed in a skunk (Greenwood County) and a raccoon (Orangeburg County), prompting calls to avoid contact and report potential exposures. Local Infrastructure: Highway 17 widening in Myrtle Beach is nearing completion, with added storm drains and lane expansion work continuing into late 2026.

Hurricane Preparedness: Dorchester County hosted a major hurricane expo in Summerville, pairing emergency experts and first responders with hands-on resources like swift-water rescue demos and a Medical University of South Carolina helicopter, with officials stressing inland flooding as a top killer. Energy & Land Use Fight: A pipeline company filed dozens of court petitions seeking survey access from South Carolina landowners for a proposed natural gas pipeline tied to a new Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper power plant, with opponents citing impacts to the ACE Basin watershed and private property. Wildlife Watch: Manatees are being spotted in the Waccamaw River near Conway, and SCDNR says sightings are rising as the animals migrate and spend time around marinas. Public Health: Virginia reported a record measles surge (77 cases by June 2), raising concerns for travelers moving through major airports like Dulles. Coastal Safety: The National Weather Service issued a rip-current risk for parts of the South Carolina Lowcountry through Wednesday evening. Local Environment Notes: SCDNR also confirmed rabies in a Greenwood skunk and an Orangeburg raccoon, urging residents to avoid wildlife contact and call officials if exposure is possible.

Energy & Water Rights: A gas pipeline company filed 88 court petitions seeking survey access from South Carolina landowners for a proposed Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper natural gas project in Colleton County, with opponents warning of impacts to the ACE Basin watershed and private property. Coastal Pollution: Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority reported a wastewater spill into the Intracoastal Waterway after a sewer pump station pipe failed in Horry County; officials say drinking water quality wasn’t affected and repairs are underway. Wildlife Watch: A manatee was spotted in the Waccamaw River near the Conway marina, with SCDNR noting sightings are increasing as manatees migrate through connected waterways. Public Safety Outdoors: The National Weather Service issued a rip current risk for parts of South Carolina’s Lowcountry through Wednesday evening. Invasive Species Alert: Georgia officials say Argentine black-and-white tegus have spread and are showing up in South Carolina too, urging residents to report or kill them to protect native wildlife. Hurricane Prep: A South Carolina-focused preparedness guide urges residents to stock supplies, clear hazards, and plan for long-lasting storm impacts.

Arctic Drilling Push: The Trump administration moved ahead with an Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil lease auction, drawing limited interest and reigniting fights over impacts to caribou, polar bears, and migrating birds. Local Water Pollution: A wastewater spill in Horry County flowed into the Intracoastal Waterway after a sewer pump station pipe failed; officials say drinking water wasn’t affected. Wildlife in the Lowcountry: A manatee was spotted swimming in the Waccamaw River near the Conway marina, with SCDNR noting manatees are increasingly reported in the region. Coastal Safety: The National Weather Service issued a rip current risk for South Carolina’s Lowcountry beaches through Wednesday evening. State Parks & Wildlife Awareness: S.C. state parks are seeing more snake encounters as temperatures rise, with guidance urging hikers to stay alert. Marine Life Conservation: Least terns expanded at Huntington Beach State Park, with nests jumping to 137 after habitat changes tied to dredging. Air Quality Alert: A code orange ozone alert was issued for parts of the Charlotte area and nearby Upstate counties. Heat Outlook: Humidity and temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s over the weekend, with scattered storms possible early next week.